Discussions > Teaching and Learning
Sea shanties and forebitters
Chris Rayner:
Hullo all. Not sure if this is the right place for this, mods please redirect as appropriate.
First of all, let me introduce myself. I am an aged retired doctor who has played various instruments, mostly in the folk tradition, on and off for over fifty years. Mostly guitar, also 5 string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, flute, (I gave my flute to Oxfam recently in the hope that someone else will get better value out of it) and mouthorgan. Work, life, my own indifferent talent, children and grandchildren have seen to it that I remain at the lower end of competence in playing these things. I am also a keen sailor, and in 2001 I decided to try the melodeon as a reasonably straightforward compact and robust instrument for shipboard entertainment (of myself although possibly, even probably, not others).
I embarked on this with great optimism and a copy of the venerable Roger Watson Handbook for Melodeon. I started with a Castagnari Lily (I think) but finding the lack of accidentals tiresome I traded it in for a Mengascini 2 1/2 row. Both in D/G. I made some progress, but I found the concentration of most tutorials and books on Morris and country dancing to be of little interest to me. Bells and hankies are all very well, but the deck of a small sailing boat is no place for them; and you can barely stand in the cabin. I carried on, but soon came to the conclusion that I was struggling to make headway alone and the instrument found its way back into its case where it remained for some years.
A couple of months ago one of my grandchildren asked me about it, so I got it out and tried to play it. Sadly my rudimentary skills had more or less disappeared over the years. Rather dismayed by this I debated with myself whether I should dispose of it. But after a couple of days noodling about on it I felt all was not lost. I have bought a copy of George Garside's excellent volume, thank you George, and have just today managed to play Harvest Home through more or less to my begrudged satisfaction. Huzzah!
Now I have managed to work out a number of tunes by ear, including the Sailor's Hornpipe, Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend (thanks to the half row accidentals) and I'm struggling still with the Trumpet Hornpipe and the Trade Winds Hornpipe (Left hand down a bit number one). I am now casting my eyes covetously in the direction of another instrument, not in order to hasten my development as a musician, I'm more than realistic about that, but in order to play shanties and forebitters. I'm also struck by the charms of French musique d'accordeon, which I would like to give a go. I'm wondering if acquisition of a C/F or G/C box with accidentals might be an advantage. possibly with 12 or 18 basses.
I'd appreciate the wisdom of the inmates here.
John MacKenzie (Cugiok):
If you opt for G/C, then the French tradition is open to you, and I don't know about most folks, but they are also easier keys to sing with. There are excellent tutors available in French music, and in melodeon playing, available. I recommend Milleret Pignol, which is available in French and English, and you can down load sound files to go with them.
Sir John
Roger Howard:
And music for sea shanties etc is readily available for GC instruments, especially from French sources. if listen to a group such as Taillevent (from Sarzeau), you'll get a feel for the possibilities.
GC is a great tuning! (Other tunings are available. Terms and condiitions apply - etc, etc.)
:||:
Roger
Jeremy Burnett:
Also being a keen sailor I usually take my C/F Pokerwork on board.I find it good for singing.
Nick Collis Bird:
--- Quote from: Jeremy Burnett on August 17, 2017, 05:00:45 PM ---Also being a keen sailor I usually take my C/F Pokerwork on board.I find it good for singing.
--- End quote ---
And rust, I've been there >:E
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